The Library
Read Classic Literature in English
Learn English by reading the books worth reading. Every book is the complete text, labelled A2 to C2 — tap any word for an instant translation, hear natural audio narration, and save the vocabulary you meet as you go. Pick your level and start with a free sample.
Level B2MysteryHis Great AdventureA down-and-out young man wandering Fifth Avenue stumbles upon a mysterious stranger suffering violent seizures in the street.
Level B2ClassicsHis FamilyA widowed father reflects on the vibrant New York of his youth while navigating changing times and relationships with his grown daughters.
Level B2AdventureHiram the Young FarmerA young farmer, disillusioned by city life and menial jobs, longs to leave the cramped town behind and return to the open fields and fresh air of the countryside where he was born…
Level B2Children'sHiram in the Middle WestA determined young farmer arrives at the lonely Pringleton station, facing rain and mysterious locals as he journeys toward the burned Sunnyside Farm.
Level B2ClassicsHints on writing short storiesDiscover practical, no-nonsense advice on mastering the art of short story writing through clear, direct lessons and sudden insights drawn from real-life experience, emphasizing tr…
Level B2Children'sHills of the ShatemucAmid early spring’s gentle hills and fertile fields, a hardworking family rises with the dawn to tend their farm, balancing youthful energy and steadfast tradition in a landscape w…
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's NeighborsWhen the Merryweather family moves into the big yellow house next door, young Hildegarde Grahame eagerly spies on their lively arrival, sparking curiosity and the promise of new fr…
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's HomeAfter losing their fortune, Hildegarde and her mother leave the bustling city for a mysterious inherited country house filled with faded treasures and charming old-world charm, whe…
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's Holiday: A Story for GirlsAnxious yet hopeful, Hildegarde awaits news of her dear friend Rose's recovery after a long illness and operation.
Level B2Children'sHildegarde's HarvestA spirited girl named Hildegarde navigates village life with charm and kindness, bridging friendships and brightening the days of neighbors old and young.
Level B2Children'sHilda's Mascot: A Tale of "Maryland, My Maryland"Two children, Jerusha and Horace, face the harsh reality of an orphan asylum after leaving their ailing mother’s care, where Jerusha’s pride in her fine clothes clashes with the st…
Level B2ClassicsHilda Strafford: A California StoryAs Robert Strafford awaits his fiancée's arrival at his isolated Southern California ranch, he wrestles with doubts about whether this rugged land can truly welcome her or if its h…
Level B2AdventureHiking Westward: Being the Story of Two Boys Whose Ambition Led Them to Face Privations and Hardships in Their Quest of a Home in the Great WestTwo determined brothers leave their city life behind to claim a homestead in the untamed West, facing hardship and hardship with grit and hope to secure a future for their ailing m…
Level B2AdventureHike and the aeroplaneTwo adventurous boys navigate treacherous canyons and unexpected dangers on horseback along the California coast, testing their courage and friendship as they face thrilling challe…
Level B2AdventureHighway Pirates; or, The Secret Place at CoverthorneTwo rival schoolboy tribes, the daring Foxes and the ruthless Eagles, clash in secret woods where adventure and danger lurk at every turn.
Level B2Science FictionHigh ManCaught in a whirlwind of suspicion and silence, a man becomes entangled with a renegade professor whose anti-gravity belt promises to defy the limits of Earth—and launch them into…
Level B2Children'sHidden seedA determined fifteen-year-old girl resolves to become a missionary and wrestles with her mother’s expectations of music lessons and household duties.
Level B2AdventureHidden gunsTrapped by relentless snow in a remote wilderness cabin, two trappers battle isolation and mounting tensions as they struggle to survive the harsh winter and the strain of their un…
Level B2ClassicsHidden Treasure: The Story of a Chore Boy Who Made the Old Farm PayA young chore boy surveys a once-thriving Pennsylvania farm now fallen into neglect, sparking a journey to revive its fortunes with modern farming methods and labor-saving innovati…
Level B2ClassicsHidden HandIn a remote Virginia mansion surrounded by wild, stormy landscapes, Major Ira Warfield—known as Old Hurricane—lives a solitary, tempestuous life shadowed by dark family secrets and…
Level B2MysteryHidden Foes; Or, A Fatal MiscalculationA man is found mysteriously dead in a quiet corridor, with no sign of violence or struggle.
Level B2AdventureHidden CountryAn uninspired literary secretary escapes city life to join a mysterious Arctic expedition, only to encounter fierce rivalries and shadowy secrets in the icy north.
Level B2Children'sHetty's garden-party, and what came of itWhen cousins Lettice and Harry come to visit, young Hetty is determined to host a grand garden-party to impress her friends—despite her family's modest means and the challenges tha…
Level B2ClassicsHetty's Strange HistoryHetty Gunn inherits a vast farm and a legacy of resilience from her indomitable grandfather, facing the loneliness and expectations of a woman alone in a man's world.
Level B2Children'sHetty Gray;In a charming English village, curious four-year-old Hetty Gray explores the world with wide-eyed wonder, from the fiery forge to fluttering butterflies, as she navigates childhood…
Level B2Children'sHester's Counterpart: A Story of Boarding School LifeAt the brink of boarding school life, Hester faces a reluctant farewell to home and the woman who raised her with love and firm resolve.
Level B2AdventureHervey WillettsA fearless but rebellious scout, Hervey Willetts blazes his own trail at Temple Camp, charming everyone despite constant trouble and expulsion.
Level B2HistoricalHeroines of the Modern StageExplore the captivating lives of groundbreaking actresses who transformed the modern stage, from Sarah Bernhardt’s extraordinary rise amid personal turmoil to the vibrant careers o…
Level B2HistoricalHeroines That Every Child Should Know: Tales for Young People of the World's Heroines of All AgesDiscover stories of courageous women whose strength and sacrifice stand beside history’s greatest heroes, revealing the quiet heroism that shapes nations and inspires generations t…
Level B2FantasyHerlandThree scientists embark on a daring expedition into uncharted territory, chasing legends of a mysterious land inhabited solely by women.
Level B2MysteryHeritage of the seaIn the treacherous fog of Long Island Sound, a rum-runner captain navigates a maze of vessels, racing against danger and suspicion to deliver a secret cargo.
Level B2AdventureHereward, the Last of the EnglishOutlawed and driven from home, a fierce English hero embarks on a daring journey through battles, alliances, and enchanted encounters as he fights to reclaim his land and honor in…
Level B2PhilosophyHereticsExplore a provocative critique of modern society’s shifting values, where being “heretical” means clarity and courage, and “orthodoxy” implies error.
Level B2HistoricalHerbert Carter's Legacy; Or, the Inventor's SonIn a small village, young Herbert Carter faces taunts for his family's poverty but stands firm with courage and kindness.
Level B2Children'sHer own wayIn a modest London home shadowed by family tensions, Juliet defies expectations and stirs worry with her independent spirit and questionable friendships, while her sisters navigate…
Level B2ClassicsHer own wayIn a charming nursery alive with playful children and family secrets, a lively birthday celebration reveals tender bonds and amusing rivalries, hinting at the complexities beneath…
Level B2RomanceHer own peopleIn the vibrant spa town of Homburg, Captain Malcolm Haig grapples with financial hardship and his uncle's push to marry for money.
Level B2ClassicsHer countryIn a fading family estate, young Honor battles doubt and duty, determined to transform her gifted voice into a fortune to restore their legacy.
Level B2RomanceHer Sailor: A Love StoryIn a picturesque New England summer, a spirited young woman and her enigmatic, foreign-born sailor lover navigate the delicate dance of love and commitment on the eve of a life-cha…
Level B2ClassicsHer Lord and MasterA wealthy Western family reunites in New York, where pride, mystery, and unexpected emotions intertwine as patriarch Horatio Stillwater confronts strange feelings and the spirited…
Level B2AdventureHer Benny: A Story of Street LifeIn the foggy, cold streets of Liverpool, young Benny and his sister Nelly struggle to survive as street waifs, peddling matches and facing hardship with unwavering sibling devotion…
Level B2HistoricalHenry VIII and His Court: A Historical NovelIn 1543, Catharine Parr becomes King Henry VIII’s sixth wife, stepping into a world of opulent ceremonies and perilous court intrigues where a single misstep could mean ruin or dea…
Level B2ClassicsHenry Dunbar: A NovelIn the shadows of a vast London banking empire, Henry Dunbar returns after decades in exile, bearing a scandalous past that could shatter his inherited fortune and reputation.
Level B2Children'sHelps and hints for Hallowe'enStep into a world of magical Halloween traditions with festive party ideas, spooky games, and ancient customs that bring witches, fairies, and fortune-telling to life.
Level B2HistoricalHelping Himself; Or, Grant Thornton's AmbitionA minister’s son faces crushing debt and family hardship, compelling him to seek work and forge his own path in 1857 New York.
Level B2HistoricalHello, Boys!Poignant verses capture the spirit and sacrifice of soldiers and sailors during the Great War, offering heartfelt tributes from the battlefields and camps of France to the shores o…
Level B2ClassicsHelen's BabiesA bachelor is roped into babysitting his sister's two mischievous boys for a fortnight at a country estate, where their impish antics and lively personalities promise unexpected ch…
Level B2ClassicsHelen of the Old HouseIn an industrial town dominated by one powerful mill and its enigmatic owner, a stark divide separates wealth from hardship as two neglected children navigate the dusty streets ben…
Why it works
Why read classics to learn English
Graded by real CEFR level
Every book is labelled B1, B2 or C1 so you can pick something that stretches you without overwhelming you.
Tap any word to translate
Touch a word or phrase to see it in your language instantly — no dictionary, no leaving the page.
Audio narration & pronunciation
Listen to clear, natural narration and read along to train your ear as well as your eye.
Vocabulary from your own reading
Save the words you meet; they become flashcards built from the books you actually read.
Questions
Learning English by reading
Reading exposes you to real grammar, vocabulary and phrasing in context — far more memorably than word lists. With instant translation and audio on every page, you stay in the story instead of stalling on unknown words, which is what builds fluency.
Choose a book one notch above where you feel comfortable: B1 if you read everyday English, B2 if you can follow longer articles, C1 for literary prose. You can always tap words you don’t know — a little stretch is exactly how you level up.
Sample chapters are free to read with no account. To read a full book — with tap-to-translate, audio narration and saved progress — you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio.
Not for sample chapters — they open with no signup. To read a whole book you start your trial at quiz.nikmas.studio, which keeps your vocabulary and place across devices.